The Southeast region of Nigeria, often described as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” is at a dangerous crossroads. Once known for peace, enterp...
The Southeast region of Nigeria, often described as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” is at a dangerous crossroads. Once known for peace, enterprise, and communal harmony, the region now battles two devastating forces: the violent incursions of armed Fulani herdsmen and the terror unleashed by unknown gunmen, some of whom, according to various reports, have political roots within the region.
As the bloodshed continues, the silence and political timidity of Southeast leaders have become more alarming than the violence itself. The people are watching, bleeding, and waiting for a generation of leaders who will rise beyond empty politics to defend their homeland.
The Twin Threats Crippling the Southeast
Fulani Herdsmen Invasions:
Across the states of Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Abia, and Imo, farmers have abandoned their ancestral lands due to repeated herdsmen attacks. Villages have been razed, families displaced, and communities traumatized. Yet, political leaders often respond with mere press statements—without meaningful action to protect lives or livelihoods.
The Unknown Gunmen Menace:
What began as a wave of anger and self-defense has been hijacked by criminals and politically sponsored gangs, burning police stations, killing security officers, and spreading fear across the land. Intelligence reports and citizen testimonies suggest that some politicians secretly fuel these groups to settle political scores or maintain power.
The Failure of Leadership:
At the heart of the Southeast’s insecurity lies one ugly truth: the failure of leadership. Too many politicians have prioritized personal ambition over collective security. The absence of a united voice from the region has given both external invaders and internal criminals the freedom to operate unchecked.
Disunity among governors, weak coordination among security agencies, and political selfishness have left the region vulnerable. The people no longer trust their leaders, and the silence of many in power has become an endorsement of chaos.
What the Southeast Politicians Must Do to right these wrongs are,
Firstly, Unite Beyond Political Party Lines.
The time has come for the Southeastern political class to set aside their political differences. Whether from the PDP, APC, LP, or APGA, leaders must unite under one agenda—the protection and survival of the Igbo people. A united Southeast Governors’ Forum, backed by traditional rulers, the clergy, and business leaders, can provide a stronger voice against federal neglect and coordinate regional responses to insecurity.
Secondly, they must build a Functional Regional Security outfit,
following the example of Amotekun in the Southwest. The Southeast can develop its own regional security framework—professionally trained, community-based, and transparently managed. The security of the Igbo nation cannot rely solely on distant federal forces who often arrive only after tragedy strikes.
Thirdly, the government must stop Arming Political Thugs
Many of today’s “unknown gunmen” were once political enforcers. Southeast politicians must end the dangerous practice of using unemployed youths during elections. Power gained through bloodshed never lasts; it only breeds cycles of revenge and destruction.
Fourthly, the government must Empower and Engage the Youths.
The average Southeastern youth is intelligent, creative, and ambitious, but often frustrated by unemployment and a lack of opportunities. Without empowerment, frustration metamorphoses into violence. Political leaders should invest in vocational training, entrepreneurship grants, tech hubs, and agro-industrial projects to support economic growth. When young men find purpose, they drop their guns.
Fifthly, they must dialogue with the Aggrieved. It is not everyone who carries arms who is a criminal; some are driven by pain and neglect. True leaders must open dialogue with aggrieved youths and groups. Listening to them, addressing injustices, and showing empathy can heal wounds more effectively than military force.
The Federal Neglect.
The Southeast has every constitutional right to demand equal protection from the Nigerian government. It is time for its politicians to speak boldly and stand firm. As long as the Federal government ignores herdsmen attacks, insecurity will persist. Silence is complicity; courage is leadership.
The southeast leaders must be seen as Promoters of Justice and Transparency.
The rule of law must be restored. Leaders must ensure that justice is not selective and that transparency is maintained in the use of public funds: corruption and inequality fuel resentment and rebellion. Only through fairness can trust return.
We don’t need long speeches from our leaders. We need them to protect us, as can be seen in the expressions below:
. Chief Obinna Nwodo, a community leader in Enugu.
“Every day we bury young men. Our farms are gone, our markets are empty, and our leaders are silent.”
. Ngozi Ibe, a widow displaced by herdsmen attacks in Ebonyi.
These voices represent the pain of millions who no longer believe that politicians care.
The Moral and Historical Responsibility.
Southeast leaders must remember the legacies of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Michael Okpara, and Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu—men who led with courage, not cowardice. The people of the Southeast deserve leaders who will defend their dignity, not those who hide behind political convenience.
History will not forgive any politician who keeps quiet while his people perish. The power they enjoy today will fade, but the memory of their inaction will remain an eternal stain.
In Conclusion, A Call to Conscience of the Southeast leaders.
The road to peace in the Southeast is not beyond reach. It begins with leadership, unity, and courage. The politicians of the region must now choose between two paths—silence and destruction, or courage and history.
The blood of the innocent cries from the red soil of Biafra. It calls for justice, security, and decisive action. The people have suffered enough.
The time to act is now.
Written by
Mazi Udodi
For Enugu State Media Team
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